Village Fete

Win tickets to the ultimate village fete with welly wanging and more

Navigation - link to other main sections from here

From Times Online

October 4, 2006

How to pass the time in Singapore airport

The Sunday Times opens its travel clinic on a daily basis to answer your holiday queries. Today: Singapore Changi

I’ve got an eight-hour stopover in Singapore airport. I don’t want to pay for an airport hotel, but I’ve heard there are some free facilities for people stuck in transit. Are they any good – or should I bite the bullet and go into town? Ian Taylor, Sunderland

A Sunday Times travel expert responds: Changi Airport has an enviable reputation, probably because its maestro architects built it with a view to keeping people distracted, occupied and comfortable.

I’m guessing you’re travelling on a budget, but before you disregard the airport’s two transit hotels, bear in mind you can get your head down in a speccy little single room for less than £15. This buys you six hours to enjoy bed, TV, shared shower, plus use of gym, and rooftop bar/pool/Jacuzzi.

Trouble is, you need to book at least two weeks ahead. And if that £15 is already earmarked for the phalanx of shops and eateries, perhaps I should tell you about the freebies.

The Oasis in T2’s E-gate is a large space equipped with reclining chairs for snoozing, automated massage chairs and big-screen TVs. T1 Level 3 has a movie theatre playing back-to back films. There are 200 free internet terminals throughout the airport, and a free online games area at iConnect in T2.

And there’s also a two-hour tour of Singapore – no cost, no departure taxes, and no worries about missing your plane. In either terminal, between 9am and 4pm, you can sign up for one of six tours. You leave your passport with the tour leader, join a luxury bus and get shown a selection of inner-city sights. It’s very relaxing and the two hours literally fly by.

Finally, it’s worth considering a couple of low-cost distractions. There’s the 5p-per-minute phones to the UK (you can lose a whole hour playing catch-up for £3). And for £4, you can get access to the aforementioned rooftop bar, pool and Jacuzzi. There’s much to be said for sitting in al fresco bubbles while drinking cold beer and looking down on 747s – so remember to pack the swimsuit in your carry-on luggage.